Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to his oral Answer of 5 September 2017, Official Report, column 13, what the timetable is for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority to publish its revised guidelines on compensation for victims of child sexual abuse.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) operates in accordance with the rules of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme which have been approved by Parliament. To help its staff interpret these rules in a consistent way, CICA provides them with operational guidance. This guidance is not a public document.

Yesterday CICA issued new guidance to its staff on compensating young victims of sexual abuse. This is part of a series of measures by CICA to improve the way that applications involving claims of child sexual abuse are handled. The new guidance has been shared by CICA with stakeholders, including those who made vital contributions to the review.